Con-con Peril?

URBANA — Several recent articles and columns concerning the desirability of holding a new Illinois constitutional convention have appeared, but none has mentioned two proposals which are sure to be raised at any such convention. These proposals would provide for 1) adding amendments to the state Constitution by referendums (the California ``proposition`` system), and 2)

the institution of a ``recall`` system in Illinois. Both of these proposals will be pushed by individuals advocating ``people`s rights`` and the need to hold governmental officials more accountable.

Each of these proposals would raise serious questions if approved. The

``proposition`` system in California has proved to be the ultimate weapon of special-interest groups, enabling them to package complex issues in often misleading, argumentative language.

The ``recall`` system would put elected officials at the mercy of the same zealous special-interest groups who, despite being small in number, could disrupt the normal workings of elective offices by requiring special elections on the question of whether those officeholders should continue in office. Even the threat of such an election might have the effect of increasing the timidity now found too often in such officials.

Lastly, it should be obvious that there is no certainty that a new constitutional convention would in fact result in ``merit selection`` of judges, the reason most frequently cited in support of holding such a convention. I suggest that it is at least as likely that the results of such a convention would be no ``merit selection,`` but instead the institution of the ``proposition`` and ``recall`` systems.